Sweet Potatoes, Farmers’ Markets, Cotton and Tech in the Land of Sweet Tea

North Carolina is home to a huge and diverse ag sector. In addition to being a leader in production of a wide range of commodities, it’s also home to some of the biggest names in ag inputs, and the breeding ground for a great deal of innovation in chemistry, biotechnology and textiles.

The Ag Tour will give you insight into this vibrant scene, with an agenda that will span from the field to the lab and beyond. Along the way, we’ll learn about how consumer preferences shape changes in ag production, research and technology.

The cost for this tour is $75. Tour departs the Sheraton at 7:30 a.m. and returns by 4:00 p.m. See below for the schedule of the day’s activities.

Does this sound like a great way to start off your Fall Conference experience? Register Now!

Barnes Farming Corporation | A world leader in sweet potato production, packing and marketing. This large operation, just 45 minutes from Raleigh, has brought many innovations to marketing of the crop and helped to establish North Carolina sweet potatoes as a major player in export markets.

North Carolina State Farmers’ Market | The North Carolina Department of Agriculture for many years has operated a string of farmers’ markets across the state to showcase North Carolina ag products and connect consumers directly to growers. We’ll visit the granddaddy of them all – a 75-acre site with dozens of vendors, wholesale produce distribution and more. We’ll enjoy lunch at one of the the onsite restaurants and allow time for browsing.

Syngenta Biotechnology Inc., Innovation Center | Here, we’ll see how one of the world’s leading agricultural companies is bringing technology to bear on the challenges of providing food and fiber for the world.

Cotton, Inc. World Headquarters | The center for textile research and development to maintain and build cotton’s position as the world’s favorite fiber.